Time control mechanism



Aug. 11, 1959 c. e. MONTGOMERY 2 TIME CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 1.1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N VENTOR C 6. l/OATGOMf/PY ATTORNEY 1959 c. G.MONTGOMERY 2, 9 ,992

TIME CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 1. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 67fifwvraomsex ATTORNEY United States Patent TIME CONTROL MECHANISMClarence G. Montgomery, North Granby, Conn, as-

signor, by mesne assignments, of one-fourth to George C. Graham,Ridgewood, and one-fourth to Frank Pannizzo, ()radell, N.J., andone-fourth to I. Jordan Kunik, New York, N .Y.

Application June 1, 1953, Serial No. 358,911

8 Claims. (Cl. 1611) This invention relates to time control devices andmore particularly to a time control mechanism for operating variouselectrical appliances on a time interval basis.

The present invention comprises a time control device which is adaptedfor mounting on synchronous motor or spring wound clock movements tooperate electrical appliances on a selectable and controlled timeinterval basis. Where it is desired to operated a radio or televisionset, an electric oven, an egg boiler, and air conditioning unit, or thelike, on an adjustable time interval basis, with a comparatively highdegree of precision, the present invention provides such a mechanismwhich is economical to manufacture and assemble and which is simple tooperate.

A salient feature of the present invention is the mounting of switchoperating cams upon the spindle of the clock movement by means of anovel clutching arrangement which obviates the heretofore utilized gearor pawl connections between the clock and the switch operatingmechanisms, thereby preventing damage to the clock works upon improperhandling of the device.

The present invention also provides for a single knob control both forsetting the hands of the clock proper and for setting up the timeinterval during which the appliance will be on or off.

Provision is also made for a single knob switching mechanism forestablishing either automatic control by the device, or eliminatingautomatic control to permit manual control of the appliance, as well asalternatively to. disconnect the appliance altogether.

The novel structural arrangement of parts herein provides an instrumenthaving only two knob controls which in previous devices required threeor four knobs for performing all the required functions.

Still other features and advantages of my invention will be apparentfrom the specification.

The features of novelty which I believe to be characteristic of myinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Myinvention itself, however, both as to its fundamental principles and asto its particular embodiments, will best be understood by reference tothe specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a, front elevation of the time control device showing theclock face and indicating elements;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged central cross section of the device shownin Fig. 1, some parts being in elevation, some other parts being inphantom outline, and still other parts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a front view, partly in phantom outline, taken on line 33 ofFig. 2, some parts being omitted, and other parts being broken away, butwith the addition of several time and interval setting elements;

Fig. 4 is a front view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2, with the additionalshowing of the switch mechanism for selectively setting automatic,manual or off operation of the device, various parts being either incross section, omitted, or in phantom outline;

ice

Fig. 5 is a top view, partly in phantom outline showing the time andinterval setting mechanism shown in Fig. 3, some parts being omitted;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, partly in phantomoutline, and some parts being omitted;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of Fig. 4, partly in phantom outline, and someparts being omitted;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a spider spring clutch such as utilized in themechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of one of the timing cams;

Fig. 10 is an edge view of the cam shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan View of the second timing cam;

Fig. 12 is an edge view of the cam shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a schematic electric circuit diagram of the device describedherein.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 2,there is shown a pair of mounting plates 32 and 33 connected and spacedapart by suitable posts 34. Mounted upon the rear of plate 32 is anelectric synchronous motor 35 such as utilized for operating theconventional electric clock and having a pair of leads 36 for connectingsaid motor to a suitable source of power. It is understood that othertypes of electrical or mechanical time drive mechanisms may besubbstituted for motor 35. Rotated by motor 35 is a shaft 37 whichoperates through any one of a number of suitable gear trains that arewell known in the art and which is omitted from the drawing, to rotateshaft of spindle 38 which constitutes the minute shaft of the clockmaking a 360 rotation once every hour. Spindle 38 extends forwardthrough plate 33 in front of which its diameter is enlarged.

Operating coaxially within the hollow center of spindle 38 is a secondhand shaft 42 which is suitably geared to motor 35 between plates 32 and33, and whose rotation is properly synchronized with the rotation ofspindle 38. Shaft 42 is optional, however, and is not essential in theoperation of the device described herein.

Adjacent the front face of plate 33 is a gear 43 fast on spindle 38.Mounted coaxially with and rotatably around spindle 38 is shaft orspindle 44, to the rear end of which is mounted gear 45 (see also Fig.5). Gears 43, and 45 are operatively connected to each other through agear train comprising a shaft 46 rotatably mounted in plate 33, andbearing a pair of gears 47 and 48 which rotate together. Gear 47 mesheswith gear 43 and gear 48 meshes with gear 45.

Mounted to the front side of plate 33 by means of bolts 49 is. a frontpanel 51. (See Fig. 5.) A rotatable control shaft 52 is mounted betweenand extends through plate 33 and panel 51. Shaft 52 is also capable oflong-i-- tudinal movement in plate 33 and panel 51. Control knob 53 ismounted on shaft 52 for manual rotation and longitudinal movement ofsaid shaft. Mounted fast on and rotated by shaft 52 is gear 54 adaptedto mesh with: gear 47 upon appropriate longitudinal movement of shaft52, thereby serving as a manual time set adjustment device whereby therotation of said knob causes the rota tion of gear 54, which in turnrotates gears 47 and 48 to set the relative positions of spindle 38,and. 44 by means; of gears 43 and 45.

It is understood that the rotation of spindles 38, 42 and 44 for normalclock timing purposes isderivedv through suitable well known gearingmeans, not shown, positioned between plates 32 and 33, and the relativedimensions of gears 43, 45, 47 and 48 are selected to.-

51 is a second gear 55, the function of which will be describedhereinbelow. Mounted around shaft 52 is a;

spring 56, one end of which abuts panel 51 and the other end of whichexerts pressure against gear 55 to urge shaft 52 toward plate 33 tomaintain gear 55 normally out of engagement with an interval timing gearto be described hereinbelow.

Connected to the rearward side of panel 33 is a flat metal spring 57whose free end extends over the rear end of shaft 52 and biases saidshaft against the action of spring 56 to keep gear 54 normallydisengaged from gear 47. When it is desired to set the time of the clockhands the operator may press inward on knob 53 against the action ofspring 57 to cause gear 54 to mesh with gear 47.

Connected to the forward end of shaft 38 and rotated thereby is a minutehand 58 while an hour hand 59 is connected to and rotated by the forwardend of shaft 44. Connected to the forward end of and rotated by secondshaft 42 is a second hand 60. While Fig. 1 shows said time indicatinghands in different angular positions, Fig. 2 shows them in a verticalarray for purposes of clarity of illustration.

Spindles 38, 42, and 44 extend through a suitable aperture in panel 51to the front of which is attached dial plate 63 which has suitable timegraduations printed thereon. A cover glass 64 enclosing the indicatinghands in front of dial plate 63 is retained in position by frame 65.Suitable time markings, such as numerals or the like, may also beprinted or otherwise applied on frame 65 around said cover glass asshown in Fig. 1.

Mounted coaxially around spindle 44 is a time interval sub-assemblywhich comprises a spindle 66 independently rotatable about spindle 44.Mounted fast on and rotatable with spindle 66 is a disc cam 67. Shaft 44has a shoulder 68 adjacent which is mounted a friction spider clutch 71,the legs 72 of said clutch being biased against the side of cam 67. Theaction of clutch 71 operates to urge cam 67 and spindle 66 forwardagainst ring 73 mounted fast on shaft 44. Spindle 66 and cam 67 normallyrotate with shaft 44 by virtue of the frictional engagement betweenspindle 66 and ring 73. Spindle 66 and cam 67 are also rotatableindependently of spindle 44 by means which will be describedhereinbelow.

Mounted rotatably around spindle 66 is cylinder or spindle 76, the rearend of which has a cam flange 77 (Figs. 2 and 12). Spindle 76 isfrictionally coupled to spindle 66 by means of spider clutch 78 mountedaround spindle 66 and bearing against flange 82 on spindle 66. Legs 83of clutch 78 are biased to urge cam 77 and spindle 76 forward againstwasher 84 mounted fast on spindle 66. Spindle 76 and cam 77 are alsorotatable independently of spindle 66 by means which will be describedhereinbelow. It will be noted that clutch 71 is similar in structure toclutch 78 which is illustrated in Fig. 8. Both clutches 71 and 78 may becharacterized as slip friction clutches since they exert suflicientforce for rotating their respective cams in fixed positions relative tothe rotating spindle while at the same time their frictional force maybe overcome by an externally applied force to rotate the respective camsrelative to the spindle to different fixed positions.

Attached fast on spindle 76 is gear 85 which is engageable by gear 55(Fig. and is operative to rotate said spindle and cam 77 against theaction of clutch 78 independently of the rotation of spindle 66.

Cam 77 has a cut away portion 88 of reduced radius extendingsubstantially 180, while cam 67 has a similar cut away portion 89. (SeeFigs. 9 and 11.) Arm 90 on cam 77 extends substantially perpendicularlyto the rearward face of the cam and across the reduced radius portion 89of cam 67 within the limits of which it moves freely. Arm 90 is adaptedto engage or to be engaged by either edge of cam 67 bounding the reducedportion 89 of said cam to cause simultaneous rotation of said cams inone direction or the other, but more desirably in the clockwisedirection. Although cams 67 and 77 are illusand serves as an alarm setdial 92.

trated and described as having 180 cutout recesses, certain timingoperations may require cutout portions of other arcuate sizes.

Mounted fast to the forward end of spindle 66 is a cylindrical member 91whose forward end terminates in a radially extending flange whichrotates with said spindle (Figs. 1 and 2.)

Attached peripherally to the forward end of spindle 76 is a cylindricalmember 93 to whose forward end is attached a radially extending pointerwhich rotates with said spindle and serves as a time interval indicator94.

It will be noted that while the inner diameters of cams 67 and 77 arediflerent, the radii of their respective outermost and cut awayperipheries are substantially equal. Cams 67 and 77 rotate around thesame axis and are positioned in tandem sufficiently close to each otherthat they both operate together as a time interval setting means. SeeFigs. 5 and 6. This is accomplished by the mechanism for adjusting theangular positions of cams 67 and 77 relative to each other and to hourhand spindle 44, as will be explained hereinbelow.

A switch arm 101 (Figs. 2, 4, 6), which is sufliciently wide to extendover both the peripheral edges of cams 67 and 77, is adapted to rideover said peripheral edges to operate a switch, generally designated102, said switch having a stationary contact 103 attached to mounting104 which is connected to plate 33 by means of a suitable bracket 105.Switch arm 101 which is made of a suitable insulating material ismounted on an elbowed spring blade 106 to which is connected a contactpoint 107 adapted to cooperate with contact point 103. Blade 106 isattached to mounting 104 and is biased normally to urge the end of arm101 against the peripheries of cams 67 and 77.

Contacts 107 and 103 are opened and closed by the rise and fall of arm101 ridin either over the outer peripheral edges of disc earns 67 and 77to keep switch 101 open, or falling off said peripheral edges to thereduced peripheries when said cams are rotated to selected positionswhere a part or all of their respective reduced sections 88 and 89coincide. Switch 102 thereby operates as a time interval switch to closeor open a circuit of a radio, an electrical appliance, or the like, thetime interval being determined by the relative positions of the cams.

Contact point 103 is connected by way of stud (not shown) throughmounting 104 to conductor 109 attached to said mounting, conductor 109extending and terminating in a spring arm 111 on the end of which isattached contact point 112.

Spring arm 111 is biased normally to urge contact point 112 againstcontact point 113 mounted on bracket 114 to the end of which isconnected one of the leads 115 of the appliance circuit to becontrolled. The other lead 116 for connection to a suitable power sourceis connected to the foot of elbowed spring blade 106 near the base ofits connection to mounting 104. The foot of blade 106 extends in theform of a spring arm 117 at the end of which is connected contact point118. Contact point 118 is adapted to close against contact point 119which is connected to elbow 121 of bracket 114. Switch arm 117 is biasedto maintain contact point 118 normally separated from contact point 119.

Mounted between plate 33 and panel 51 is a rotatable switch shaft 125having on its outer end a manual operating knob 126. See Figs. 4, 6 and7. Connected intermediate the ends of shaft 125 is a switch arm 127which is normally positioned in a neutral position, as shown in Fig. 4.Upon rotation of shaft 125 and switch arm 127 in one direction, arm 111is moved to separate contact points 112 and 113, thereby cutting out theaction of switch 102 and thereby turning off the radio or appliance.

If, on the other hand, it is desired to keep the appliance.

to be controlled in operation, or to operate it under manual controlwithout time interval control, switch arm 127 may be rotated to urge arm117 to close contact points 118 and 119 against each other, therebyefiectiveiy shorting out switch 102 and closing the radio or appliancecircuit between leads 115 and 116 through bracket arm 121 and switch arm117. It is understood that elements 109, 111, 114, 117 and 121 areelectrical conductors.

Indexing means (not shown) may be provided for shaft 125 to bring saidshaft into any one of the three positions described and to maintain theswitch arm 127 in the desired position until shaft 125 is again rotatedto another position.

The operative electrical control system is shown schematically in Fig.13 wherein like reference numerals designate similar structural partsshown in the other figures of the drawing. One lead 36 from motor 35 isconnected to a suitable source of power, such as for example, a 110 volthousehold power supply or the like. The other lead 36 is connected tolead 116 which is electrically connected to contact 118. Connected tothe electrical system by way of leads 128 and 129 is an appliance 130 tobe controlled, lead 128 being connected to the power source and lead 129being connected to bracket 114 which provides alternate connection toeither switch arm 111 or 117. The other side of the power source isconnected to lead line 116.

If desired, a female plug or electrical connector 131 may be connectedacross leads 128 and 129 by means of a pair of leads 132, so that asecond appliance may be connected to the control circuit to be operatedin conjunction with the first appliance 130. This second appliance may,according to the users choice, be an electric coffee percolator, anelectric oven, or an air conditioner, or the like.

In operation, the closing of switch 102 causes the turning on of theradio or appliance, as the case may be, provided switch arm 127 is inthe neutral or automatic position shown in Fig. 4, and this action willbe referred to herein as either the switch on time or the alarm time. Itwill be noted that switch 102 is open while switch arm 101 rides on theoutermost periphery of either cam 67 or 77 or on both peripheriessimultaneously (see Fig. 4). It is only when arm 90 is separatedangularly from the rearward drop off point 140 of cam 67 that arm 101 isable under the biasing action of blade 106 to pivot and bring contactpoints 103 and 107 together thereby closing switch 102. Although switcharm 101 may be positioned at other places, as a matter of choice orstructural convenience, the invention will most conveniently bedescribed with switch arm 101 at a drop ofi position at the 12 oclockpoint of the clock, as it is illustrated herein.

The switch on or alarm time is determined by the position of cam 67relative to spindle 44 and consequently by the position of drop ofipoint 140 from which arm 101 falls to close switch 102.

In order to bring drop off point 140 into the proper relationship withthe clock hour hand spindle 44, knob 53 is manually pulled out againstthe action of spring 56 to cause gear 55 to mesh with gear 85. Asuitable shoulder or collar (not shown) may be provided on shaft 52 toassist in the alignment of gears 55 and 85. Knob 53 is then turnedcounterclockwise to cause cam 77 to rotate clockwise around spindle 66until arm 90 engages the radial edge of cam 67 at drop off point 140.Thereafter, the continued rotation of cam 77 causes cam 67 also torotate with spindle 66 around spindle 44 in a clockwise direction. Thisaction also causes time dial 92 to rotate clockwise with cam 67 onspindle 66. This clockwise rotation is continued until the desired alarmtime or on time, as represented by the clock time numerals on dial 92,is brought to a position opposite pointer 141, which is a part of hourhand 59 but which points in a 180 opposite direction.

It will be noted that clutches 71 and 78 provide for 6 the independentrotation of spindles 66 and 76 respectively, without aifecting therotational position of spindles 38 and 42 or their movement by motor 35through 0011- ventional clock gearing between plates 32 and 33. It isalso understood that the manual time setting described hereinabove inrespect of gears 54, 43, 45, 47 and 48 is rendered possible by means ofclutch means well known in the art of synchronous motor electric clocks.Such clutch means (not shown) would usually be positioned between plates32 and 33.

In order for switch 102 to operate, however, it is necessary, after thealarm set position has been determined on dial 92 to rotate knob 53 in aclockwise direction thereby causing cam 77 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction whereby arm backs away from the drop oilpoint I40 on cam 67 to leave room for the dropping of switch arm 101 toclose switch 102. This is done very quickly and easily, after the alarmset time has been determined, by a simple reverse turn of knob 53.

After the alarm setting has been made, the hour hand spindle 44 willrotate cam 67 to a point where drop off point will reach the 12 oclockposition of the clock, at which time switch 102 will be actuated. Inorder for this to be accomplished, drop off point 140 of cam 67 shouldbe radially aligned with the numeral 6 on dial 92. The solid line 142 ondial 92 coincides substantially with the outermost peripheral edge ofcam 67 and indicates the silent time of the clock switch mechanism sincesaid outer periphery will always maintain switch arm 101 in a positionwhere contacts 103 and 107 are kept separated.

Pointer 94 rotates with cam 77 and is substantially aligned with arm 90.When arm 96 has engaged the drop oif edge 140 of cam 6'7, pointer 94 andthe 6 oclock point on small dial 94 will be substantially aligned witheach other and will continue to rotate as knob 53 is rotatedcounterclockwise. Therefore, a time of play interval may be accuratelyset by rotating knob 53 clockwise, and it will be observed that pointer94 moves counter clockwise away from number 6 on the small dial 92which, with cam 67, remains stationary. This indicates that cam 77 alsomoves counterclockwise to provide a gap between the outermostperipheries of cams 6'7 and 77 respectively wherein switch arm 101 maydrop to close switch 102.

Thus, the interval of play will be measured ofi by the amount of theradial clock spacing by which pointer 94 moves backward counterclockwisefrom the 6 oclock point on small dial 92, and that difierential in timewill determine the length of time the appliance will remain in operationafter it is turned on.

Clutch 71 is arranged to exert a greater force against cam 67 thanclutch 78 does against cam 77 in order that spindle 66 may not turncounterclockwise when cam 77 is turned counterclockwise to set up thetime of play interval. Once cam 67 is set for alarm time, it maintainsits position relative to hour hand spindle 44 under the action of clutch71, and after cam 77 is set for the timing interval, it will bemaintained in its position relative to cam 67 under the action of clutch78. Thereafter, both clutches will be operative to maintain said cams intheir relative positions while they are both being rotated by spindle 44on the timing basis established by motor 35 and the interconnecting geartrain between plates 32 and 33.

It will be apparent then that the time interval on the white side of thesmall dial from pointer 94 to the 6 mark on the small dial is the timeof play or on time of the appliance. In order for the appliance to go onfor any period of desired time, the pointer 94 can be turnedcounterclockwise from the numeral 6 point on dial 92 backwards for aspace or" up to six hours so that the appliance can go on at the desiredalarm time and play for a maximum of six hours, said six hours beingdivisible to any desired period of time.

The alignments of these operative parts are not coordinated throughoutthe various figures of the drawings in order to permit clarity ofillustration of the parts from different views. The positions of suchelements as 90, 92, 94, 10 1, 140 and 142 and the numerals on dial 92are arbitrary and it will be understood that said elements are easilycoordinated in assembly to perform the functions described herein.

The timing device herein is also capable of performing an intermediatetiming operation independent of the alarm set mechanism describedhereinabove.

This function is useful for performing specific timing operations thatare measurable to a fairly fine degree of precision measured by the timedivisions on the dial face 63 of the clock. The outer edge of dial face63 may be marked off in fine time graduations from 12 oclock back to 10oclock, as shown, or further if desired. Each of these hour intervals ismarked off into suitable fractions of an hour, depending upon theprecision of calibration desired. In some cases the calibrations may beas fine as one minute, two and a half minutes, or the like, which mayfurther be subdivided by visual means when the operator moves pointer 94by turning knob 53.

If it is desired, for example, to have a radio play for a certain lengthof time before it is turned off automatically for the night, knob 53 isturned counterclockwise until point 140 on cam 67, and accordingly,numeral 6 on dial 92, are at or past the 12 oclock point on clock face63, this being the operative point of switch arm 101. Thereafter, knob53 is turned clockwise to rotate cam 77 counterclockwise, therebyopening a gap between arm 90 on cam 77 and point 14-0 on cam 67. Hencearm 101 will be biased downward into said gap, maintaining switch 102closed for operation of the radio.

The interval of time during which switch 102 will remain closed willdepend upon how far counterclockwise cam 77 has been rotated at the timeof making what is variously known as lullaby tuning. This interval maybe established visually by the operator turning knob 53 clockwise untilpointer 94, which is aligned substantially with arm 90 on cam 77, stopson the particular graduation counterclockwise of 12 oclock on face 63that indicates how long the operator desires the radio to play beforeturning off automatically. Clock spindle 44 rotates cam 77 clockwise andwhen the periphery of the cam at the substantial location of arm 90reaches the 12 oclock position, arm 101 will be lifted to open switch102 to shut off the radio.

It will be understood that the alignment of pointer 94 with cam 77 willbe such that precision of timed operation of switch arm 101 will beestablished. Also, if desired, clock face 63 may be marked withappropriate numerals inside the fine graduations in order to assist insetting precise tuning periods. If, for example, pointer 94 has beenturned back to the 11 oclock numeral on frame 65, the appliance will beturned off automatically in one hour from the time of making thesetting. The finer graduations may be employed to establish in fractionsof an hour up to substantially six hours, provided, however, that forthe upper limit, numeral 6 on dial 92 is aligned with numeral 12 onframe 65. After the appliance has been turned off automatically, it willremain off until switch 16.2 is closed again at the alarm time asindicated by pointer 141 on dial 92.

When it is desired to control the timed operation of appliances, such aselectric ovens, broilers, sun lamps, and the like, the device can be setaccurately on this intermediate timing basis with intervals selectiblefrom a maximum of six hours down to a minimum of one or two minutes,depending upon the ability of the operator to move pointer 94 preciselybetween the graduations on dial 63.

In some embodiments, arm 90 on cam 77 may be dispensed with and cam 67may be rotated by independent means. In such case a gear similar to gear85 would be 8 mounted on spindle 66 between cam 67 and clutch 71, saidadded gear being engaged by an additional gear on shaft 52 similar togear 55 which is adapted to engage gear 85. Such an additional gear onshaft 52 would engage the gear added to spindle 66 in such a manner asnot to cause gears 55 and 54- to mesh with gears and 47, respectively,upon the movement of shaft 52 inward or outward, as the case may be.Suitable indexing or indicating means may be established for shaft 52 toprovide the proper engagement of the desired pairs of gears. In somecases the additional gear could be operated by an additional shaft andgear similar to shaft 52 and gear 55.

It may also be desired to dispense with the adjustable time intervalsetting means, in which case a single cam 77, similar to cam 67, may beutilized. Instead of being mounted around spindle 66, cam 77 would bemounted around spindle 44 and would be rotated by spindle 44 by clutchmeans as described hereinabove.

Switch arm 101 would ride on the peripheral edge of cam 77 and wouldfall off cam edge 140 to close switch 102. Of course pointer 94 would beomitted while dial 92 would be mounted on spindle 44 and its clocknumbers aligned in such a manner that they would indicate the properalarm time setting relative to the drop off point 140 on cam 77.Although cam 77 in this instance may be shaped in the form shown in Fig.ll, in which case the alarm time would have to take place within sixhours of the time of being set, it may be preferable to reduce thesegment of the recessed portion 88 to a smaller angular segment so thatthe alarm time may be set for more than six hours in advance. Since itis only important to utilize this embodiment as an alarm only, therecessed portion 88 may be reduced to a smaller segment for a time ofplay of substantially a half hour to an hour, and during that time ofplay the operator of the appliance may operate knob 126 to short out theautomatic switch 102 and place the appliance under manual operation.

In order to ensure the proper cooperation of cam 77 with cam 67, thelatter has a recessed notch 141 which accommodates arm of cam 77 wherebyaccurate switch setting and time interval setting may be accomplished.

In the specification, I have explained the principles of my invention,and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying thoseprinciples, so as to distinguish my invention from other inventions; andI have particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed the part, mode orcombination which I claim as my invention or discovery.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood that modifications and changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as will beclear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A time control device comprising a switch a rotatable spindle, afirst cam mounted rotatably around said spindle, a first clutch forcausing said first cam to rotate with said spindle, a second cam spacedapart from said first cam and mounted rotatably around said spindle, asecond clutch for causing said second cam to rotate with said spindle,means for rotating said second cam relative to said spindle and to saidfirst cam against the action of said second clutch, a cutout portion onsaid first cam of predetermined length, means on said second cam movablewithin said cutout portion of said first cam without moving the latter,said second cam when rotated beyond predetermined points in eitherdirection causing the means thereon to engage a respective edge of thecutout portion of said first cam to rotate the latter relative to saidspindle against the action of said first clutch, a cutout portion onsaid second cam, an arm on said switch operable by both of said camssimultaneously, the opening and closing of said switch being determinedby the respective positions of the combined cutout portions of both ofsaid cams relative to each other and to said arm.

2. A device according to claim 1, and further comprising an indicatorconnected to said spindle, an indicator connected to said first cam andan indicator connected to said second cam, said indicators showingvisually the respective angular positions of said cams and spindlerelative to each other.

3. A .time control device comprising a first rotatable spindle, a secondspindle mounted coaxially and rotatably around said first spindle, afirst cam mounted on and rotated by said second spindle, a first clutchfor causing said second spindle to rotate with said first spindle, athird spindle mounted coaxially and rotatably around said secondspindle, a second cam mounted on and rotated by said third spindle, asecond clutch for causing said third spindle to rotate with said secondspindle, means mounted on said third spindle for rotating said thirdspindle and said second cam relative to said second spindle against theaction of said second clutch, a cutout portion on said first cam, acutout portion on said second cam, means on said second cam adjacent anend of its respective cutout portion movable within the cutout portionof said first cam to a position to engage either edge of said firstcutout portion to rotate said first cam and said second spindle relativeto said first spindle against the action of said first clutch, saidfirst clutch being formed so as to exert a greater gripping force thansaid second clutch whereby said second cam is capable of rotating withinthe distance permitted by the extent of the cutout portion of said firstcam without rotating the latter, a swich, and a follower on said switchoperable by the combined cutout portions of both of said cams as theyrotate to cause the opening and closing of said switch.

4. A device according to claim 3, and further comprising indicatingmeans on each of said spindles, said indicating means showing visuallythe respective angular positions of said three spindles relative to eachother.

5. A time control device comprising a frame, a first spindle mounted insaid frame and adapted to be rotated by a synchronous motor or the like,a second spindle mounted coaxially around said first spindle and rotatedthereby, a first disc cam mounted on and rotated by said second spindle,a third spindle mounted coaXially around said second spindle and rotatedthereby, a second disc cam spaced apart from said first cam and mountedon and rotated by said third spindle, said three spindles normallyrotating together upon the rotation of said first spindle, a firstclutch between said first and second spindles, a second clutch betweensaid second and third spindles, both of said earns having peripheralportions of reduced radius, said respective portions being movablerelative to each other to provide a gap of a selected and variablelength, an arm on said second cam movable within the reduced radiusportion of said first cam to engage either edge thereof to rotate saidfirst cam to selected positions relative to said first spindle againstthe action of said first clutch, a gear on said third spindle, said gearbeing rotatable to rotate said third spindle and said second cam toselected positions relative to said second spindle against the action ofsaid second clutch and to cause the rotation of said first cam when thelatter is engaged by said arm against the action of said first 10 clutchto rotatably adjust each of said cams to separate selected fixed radialpositions relative to each other to establish the length of said gaps,and a switch on said frame, said switch being operated by thecombination of both cams, the length of said gap determining the timeduring which said switch is closed.

6. A device according to claim 5, and further comprising an actuatingarm on said switch, an indicator connected to and rotating with saidfirst spindle, an indicator dial connected to and rotating with saidsecond spindle, said indicator and indicator dial showing visually therelationship of said first cam to said first spindle, said indicatordial being graduated in suitable time intervals and mounted in relationto said first cam whereby said arm will be actuated to close said switchby falling into the reduced radius portion of said first cam at the timeindicated on said dial by said indicator.

7. A device according to claim 6, and further comprising a secondindicator connected to and rotating with said second cam, the reversingof said second cam relative to said first cam causing a gap formed bythe combined reduced portions of both of said cams within which saidswitch arm remains to maintain said switch closed, said second indicatormarking off from a suitable reference point in said dial the intervalduring Which said switch will remain closed.

8. A device according to claim 7, and further comprising a clock facemounted on said frame, a series of graduations on said clock face with areference point at the location where said switch arm falls and rises toclose and open said switch, said second indicator being movable in thecounterclockwise direction together with said second cam to indicate theinterval during which said switch will remain closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,370,747 Ide Mar. 8, 1921 1,708,619 Hart Apr. 9, 1929 1,982,495Browning Nov. 27, 1934 1,996,302 Mason Apr. 2, 1935 2,200,110 AndersenMay 7, 1940 2,300,950 Lux Nov. 3, 1942 2,354,651 Buttner Aug. 1, 19442,357,061 Stattner Aug. 29, 1944 2,419,077 Isserstedt Apr. 15, 19472,440,142 Elliott Apr. 20, 1948 2,455,161 Buttner Nov. 30, 19482,545,617 Kaefer et al Mar. 20, 1951 2,562,546 Gray July 31, 19512,594,103 Ward Apr. 22, 1952 2,617,900 Morrison Nov. 11, 1952 2,619,169Anderson Nov. 25, 1952 2,619,558 Gallagher et al Nov. 26, 1952 2,624,812Shaw et al Ian. 6, 1953 2,670,039 Burkholder Feb. 23, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 781,056 France Feb. 18, 1935

